Taunton Mayor Hoye champions city on the rise in third inaugural address

Lisa D. Connell Taunton @connellld

Monday

Jan 4, 2016 at 9:13 PMJan 4, 2016 at 9:21 PM

That theme of a city on the rise after a decade of financial and social struggle was front and center in Mayor Thomas C. Hoye Jr.’s inaugural address Monday night.

TAUNTON — Sometimes the best answer to a question is another question. As when someone or some company asks, “Why Taunton?”

The correct answer is, “Why not Taunton?”

That theme of a city on the rise after a decade of financial and social struggle was front and center in Mayor Thomas C. Hoye Jr.’s inaugural address Monday night.

Speaking before a full house seated in the Gerald A. Croteau Theater of the Benjamin A. Friedman School, Hoye delivered his third address as mayor.

Plans to help the city’s downtown businesses include a rent rebate program and proposed zoning changes designed to encourage new tenants. One proposal regards parking spaces, “which often stifle any projects before they even start,” the mayor said.

Hoye also noted the importance of the city’s public schools, especially the schools’ teachers, who at times, “may be the only stabilizing force in a child’s life.”

Curbing opioid drug abuse remains an issue for the city.

“We haven’t for a minute lost sight of this crisis,” Hoye said.

The city’s drug task force continues to deal with this scourge.

“My message to individuals and families affected by this is do not give up hope,” he said.

The night’s ceremony follows the municipal elections of November, when all incumbents of the City Council were returned to office, save one. New councilor Dan Dermody now joins the nine-member board.

In swift order, all members of the School Committee, Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board were sworn in by City Clerk Rose Marie Blackwell.

This story will be updated.

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